Public Safety

More Firetrucks to Get GPS Tracking

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Eighty additional firetrucks will be outfitted with a new tracking system that aims to make the backcountry safer for San Diego County residents.

The County accepted a $276,000 donation from the San Diego Regional Fire Foundation at Tuesday’s Board of Supervisors meeting to purchase and install automated vehicle locators (AVLs) on emergency vehicles, such as fire engines.

The equipment allows vehicles to transmit their location from a device the size of a cable box to CAL FIRE. Using this GPS information, the agency can then dispatch the closest unit to an emergency and have the fastest response time to 9-1-1 calls.

The funds accepted Tuesday will allow the County to increase the number of AVLs on San Diego County Fire Authority and CAL FIRE vehicles from 112 to 192. Supervisor Ron Roberts said the goal is to have the devices on all County emergency equipment.

“We want to arm all of our men and women with the latest technology and the latest tools and equipment to make sure they can do their job,” Roberts said. “The better they’re equipped, the safer we are going to be. And AVLs are a part of that.”

Twenty-three rural stations across the county will now have the technology. Funding for the donation from the San Diego Regional Fire Foundation was made by San Diego Gas & Electric.

Michelle Mowad is a communications specialist with the County of San Diego Communications Office. Contact